Antagonists in the Church

by Kenneth C. Haugk

Book Overview

Antagonism exists in the church. It leaves in its wake broken lives: people who are hurt, discouraged, and apathetic. Although only a very few persons are antagonists, these individuals have the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806623101
• ISBN13: 9780806623108
• Release Date: January 1988
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishing
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Very helpful resource

I came across this book five years ago when dealing with a difficult person in my church. It was invaluable then and remains so now.I had about an hour and a half to skim *Antagonists in the Church* and extract very useful information before going into a meeting with this person and another church leader. Though I didn't do the book full justice, I did find that the writing was clear, the information laid out helpfully and accessibly, and the content very germane to the context I was facing. I was able to go into that meeting with much more confidence and a much greater sense of how to conduct my own behavior when confronted with this church member's antagonism.I find the book helpful in helping to define antagonistic behavior and to differentiate it from other kinds of conflict behavior. I recommend it.

A must for clergy and lay leaders

Whether you are clergy or a lay person, this book is a must read. It is insightful and full of usefull suggestions for dealing with as well as explainations for the evil that one encounters in church work. I only wish I had read it before I made many of the mistakes the author warns against. However, now I am prepared for the next attack of the ever present antagonist, thanks to Dr. Haugk.

Why didn't they teach this in seminary?

Several years ago, we found this book to be an incredibly important tool in riding the waves of congregational conflict. This book realistically addresses issues that few are ever taught in seminary. Book is great on boundaries, strategires, etc. probably best for protestant, Anglican, and non denominational churches. This book should be required reading for all clergy.

Recommend Reading this Book Before It Is Too Late

Extremely brilliant insight into churches which have experienced more than just the ordinary conflicts. Recommended reading for clergy or staff before they encounter the practiced antagonist. Highly as a must for District Superintendents or others in charge of a large number of clergy. Often times these leaders are the last to understand the evil which can lurk inside a congregation. May alert them to the real difficulties encountered especially by entrance-level clergy before they are overcome by those who would rather see them fail than to succeed. Extremely important insight as to how dealing with the true antagonist differs from developing relationships with the average parishoner. The insights shared in this book may save a clergy, if not the congregation.

Some evil lay-leaders rage against ministers

Some churches are vulnerable to one or more pathological antagonists whose background includes a dysfunctional family upbringing, abusive relationships by parents, immoral behavior of their own, or some deep-seated resentment of others including God. Haugk tells us how to identify these angry people who are hell-bent to destroy the minister's ministry, career, and possibly his marriage and family (as collateral damage). Pathological antagonists are not merely mentally ill; they are what psychiatrist M. Scott Peck calls "evil," since their behavior is so destructive. Since most parishoners are naive about such persons and their potential for injury, this book is must reading for the good and decent lay-leaders who could organize into a protective force for their ministers. To quote Cicero: "There are two kinds of injustice: the first is found in those who do an injury; the second in those who fail to protect another from injury when they can." Mi! ! nisters are especially vulnerable to attack by charming insider preacher-haters; Haugk shows us what can be done about them.